MATTHEW 23:23-31
After giving me a haircut, my barber remarked, “Your hair is healthy. “I would like to think it is because you buy our products.” “No,” I apologetically said. “I simply use whichever shampoo is affordable and pleasant-smelling.” I added, admittedly, “I also try to eat well. I believe that makes a big difference.”
When I consider the things we do to enhance our appearance, I am reminded of some of the things we do to enhance our spiritual looks. Jesus confronted this problem with the Jerusalem religious authorities (Matthew 23). They adhered to a complex set of religious laws that much exceeded those that God had given. They put a lot of effort into looking nice in front of their neighbours and demonstrating their superiority. But despite their efforts, God was unimpressed. They scrubbed the outside of the cup and plate, but Jesus declared they were stinking of extortion and self-indulgence on the inside (v.25). In reality, the Pharisees’ actions to appear nice to others only served to highlight how bad they really were.
While religious practices and customs vary from culture to culture, God’s principles are universal. And He does not appraise what He values by what other people think. God likes sincere intentions and a pure heart. A person’s spiritual well-being manifests from the inside out.
We might not be as good on the inside as we appear to be.
🙏🏼Lord, You already know who we are. From the inside out, cleanse us. And help us to live with true and pure motives, just as Jesus did.
